livermead house hotel in Torbay

Although it was for a Sad Occasion I was Visiting The Livermead Hotel it was a Warm Welcoming One , A very Pleasant Relaxing Atmosphere with Receptive and Excellent Service so Thankyou to All 🌟

With the demise of The Palace in Babbacombe The House now has the mantle of style and traditional service in Torbay, Torquays "Dowager Countess". Superb position and sumptuous interiors from a grander age dripping in antiques and lush soft furnishings. Highly trained staff provide classic silver service in livery and the classic cuisine. Yes the accommodation is tired and old fashioned but it is impeccably clean and comfortable.

We had our wedding ceremony and evening reception all at the lovely Livermead House in Sep 2024. From our first enquiry with Piers and subsequent discussions with him and later Jess to the day itself, where Elliot and his team guided us through the event, we were looked after the whole time we were there. Staff are friendly and courteous and the whole atmosphere takes you back a little to a bygone era, in a good way. Occasionally the communications between different parties went a little astray but it all came together splendidly on the day. As bride and groom we stayed overnight at the hotel and a number of staff took the time to congratulate us as we had breakfast next morning. It's the little touches that stay with you. Thankyou Livermead for making it a truly memorable day. Kevin & Helen.

We stayed for 2 nights on a dancing weekend break general appearance was so very edwardian Victorian.. antique furniture everywhere and a delightful Victorian lift..Decor was in the period.. Restaurant and food was excellent.. But the room let it down.. we had a small twin at back of hotel . It was okay but the pictures needed binning.. and the room updated.. some had blankets. Please don't.. this is 2024.. bar prices very expensive.. £29 for a bottle of pinot blush.. rediculous.. £10 for 1 glass of wine.. we enjoyed our weekend but please change a few things.. we love the era but you have to catch up with 2024.. generally hotel a bit cluttered.. get rid of some of the furniture.. love the uniforms of staff..

I woould definitely recommend having lunch here especially with one of the Christie cocktails. The location is great and I would be very tempted to have afternoon tea here and even stay here in the future.

Superb location for this hotel.

Over the past ten years, Livermead House has provided us an oasis of peace and tranquillity. We enjoyed our second visit this year so much we decided another five-star review is in order. Tim Rew, Elliot, Maitre D Barry, his assistant Osaka and a number of enthusiastic waiters have maintained the ambiance that we experience the moment we arrive. However, Simon the Head Chef and his chefs need a special mention for every delicious evening meal we chose that had my wife (a talented cook) shaking her head in admiration. On two evenings in the Dining Room, we enjoyed Paul Vincent the virtuoso pianist and his repertoire that tugged at our heart strings and maintained the atmosphere that Tim Rew has offered us for so many years. We are now considering another break later this year.

Clean tidy with great views from the lounge over Torbay. Excellent service from the members of staff. I felt like I was the lord in the manor with the table service & the staffs dress ware.

Stayed here for a 25th Anniversary party. Positively the staff were very friendly and the room was clean. Sadly I don’t think the hotel has been decorated since before the wedding 25 years ago. Paid extra to have a sea view room which was as requested. Unfortunately the windows are not double glazed, so traffic noise was almost constant during the night.

Some would call this hotel 'traditional' but a more honest description is 'out of date'. Stuck in a timewarp the hotel decor is in the style of dark red & gold draylon furniture and heavily pattered 1950' s carpet. The room we stayed in was clean but in desperate need of an upgrade. Basic complimentary drinks facilities & bathroom toiletries are provided but with far too much unsustainable packaging. There was a good selection of breakfast choices, but unimaginative standard 'fry up' style, no obvious fresh local produce. Despite all the poor stuff the hotel staff were excellent.

Having stayed in thousands of hotels over the year's, I actually loved this establishment . Yes it is DATED.... very dated, and yes the doily's are everywhere, but this is all part of its charm!

Birthday lunch. Usual high standard of service. As a treat its lovely to get good, old fashioned service as they say. Even presented with a complimentary birthday cake. Thank you.

Outstanding traditional English hotel and starred restaurant, attention to every tiny detail, all carried out to perfection with the highest standards, wonderful dedicated staff, finest food in Torquay whether breakfast, Sunday lunch club or evening dinner you will just not want your time at the Livermead to end .

NB We did not stay here, we only went to the restaurant for Sunday lunch. This hotel is situated directly opposite the beach. There is a large, free car park for patrons. It is a classic, seaside hotel. It had an ornate dining room & cosy lounge. When we went there the other diners were all over 60 so cannot comment if this is a child-friendly place. When you arrive for lunch, you are greeted by (presumably) the manager in a smart suit with a fresh rose button-hole. There was a pianist playing live music throughout our meal. Lunch started at 12.30 prompt & you can have 3 courses plus coffee for £26.50 a head. There were about 5 choices for each course. The starters seemed to be pre-plated as they arrived very quickly. I had a nice crispy bacon & Parmesan salad, our friends had melon, soup & a Halloumi dish. For mains, we had roast beef, chicken or fish dishes. All served on plentiful beds of gravy / sauces. A good selection of fresh vegetables were efficiently served to us by the Silver Service staff. A hot or cold dessert was offered but, for me, the star of the meal was the dessert bar. It had a great selection including pavlovas, trifles, creme caramels, mousse, gateaux etc. We chose to have our after dinner coffees in the lounge. You settle the bill, either in cash or by card, at the reception desk.

Such a lovely location but sadly doesn't make the most it. Get the feeling, resting on their past reputation. Dated. I stayed there 10 years ago and it hasn't changed. In truth needs refurbishment as more discerning customers expect more and will not return.

Stayed here on the coach this weekend just gone. There was a particular two members of staff , a waiter and waitress who just chatted non stop the whole time and we’re on their phones quite a lot. They shouldn’t be put to work together really. Aside from this, the young gentleman was very polite. Excellent location

Superb staff in a charming hotel but overdue for modernisation!

Lovely hotel with great staff and great service and very good food only let down by clean but very dated and tired rooms

We've had a lunch for 3 adults & dinner for 4 adults & 1 child recently, and everything was superb! The produce used was excellent & the cooking & delivery were superb! We will be returning for sure!! We're local so weren't staying in the hotel, so can't comment on the rooms, but I'm sure they're every bit as good the dining experience was.

We had lunch at the Livermead. The food was delicious, and all the staff were eager to help and very friendly. We had a three course meal, which cost £25 each. The layout and the way it's decorated is incredibly beautiful. It was also very popular, and although it was quite busy, there was more than enough room. I would highly recommend.

I attended a conference here last weekend. Having seen the write ups from past guests, we opted to stay elsewhere accommodation wise. I don't think that was a good move because the food here on Saturday evening was excellent.

Lovely hotel, a bit ‘old worldie’ but we all need a bit of that now and again. The owners reserve the prime parking spot right outside the front door which you can’t miss - which is their prerogative - but says a lot about attitude to customers. A pot of tea or coffee is ridiculously expensive - be warned! Fabulous location right opposite the sea.

Fantastic food and service as always

What a lovely hotel the food and staff were amazing, the only member of staff that was slightly rude was the tall wine waiter not customer friendly at times.

Lovely Hotel , enjoyed the lovely food just one thing that let it down for us was our very lumpy mattress we think that the springs had gone in the mattress we couldn't get comfortable they were sticking in our backs we suffer from Arthritis we could feel every lump, and also you need to change the pillows for nicer ones, if it wasn't for that we would have given 5 stars ,

The dining room and the food were amazing. Very enjoyable, and the service by the waiting staff excellent - very courteous, dressed impeccably.

A little old gem of bygone days! Try the excellent Cream Tea. The scones are the best in Devon (and Cornwall, oh dear!). Easy parking and lovely staff.

Ladies toilet - needs a seat replaced

Called in as non residents for a coffee and biscuits. Lovely hotel, excellent hot fresh coffee and biscuits, great service.

Edwardian country house, still in that era. In great need of renovation, replacing everything. Food fantastic, very proper, silver service, but expensive. Not the place for young people, but the older generation. Carpets old and worn, as are the other furnishings. Peach coloured bathrooms???. The staff are very good, and we'll trained in the traditional hotel ways.

Great group of hotels - Rew Hotels. Same review as Livermead Cliff Hotel. Annual Women's Bible Study Conference held 18-20 November. Livermead Hotels know how to host conferences. Great venue, food, service, ample parking.

An interesting hotel, part Victorian and part modern. There must be a billiard table somewhere. Food and service very good.

A Railtrail picked venue, that is very good. I would recommend this establishment as it is very professional in its running,and helpful staff are well presented. Have had a good selection in the restaurant with well cooked and presented meals. There is a reasonable car park at the front and side of the main building.

In desperate need of a refit and some training needs for the staff

I love this building and it's history but the owner seems to think it's the ritz and it's more like faulty towers, some rooms are amazing and some are like prisons, it's a bit up itself, older people arriving on coaches mostly, nice pool but the whole place is over priced and not enough money being put back into keeping the place up to date, such a shame.

Hotel is a little tired. Staff, service and food more than make up for it! Good old fashioned service. A brilliant stay. We will come back.

We are about to stay at the Livermead House Hotel, and to be honest, those reviews that are less than complimentary, not to say derogatory about the hotel just make me want to stay at the hotel even more, I love hotels with olde worlde charm, staff in tails and waistcoats are great for giving you the sense that excellent customer is the norm, and nothing is too much trouble. I'm looking forward to a comfortable, stress free weekend with the REW'S.

Who needs shortbread!!!pricey tea and coffee,because you are also paying for shortbread biscuits,which aren't required!!!! Drop the biscuits and let's have reasonably priced beverages!

Location of the hotel is beautiful, staffs speacially Katerina at the front desk, man at the belldesk(forgot to ask his name), Mark the night porter. Breakfast is good, platter to plate service. Swimming pool & jacuzzi adds value to the hotel. Rooms need little more refurbishment.

Super old fashioned hotel service really quaint, lovely pot of tea with home made biscuits

Lovely hotel with real character. Needs a bit of TLC in places. Dining staff were very efficient and very friendly. The food was beautifully cooked and presented. Location was fantastic and the view from our room was amazing.

Ett hotell utöver det vanliga! Underbart på sitt egna vis! Rum och inredning har passerat bäst före datum sedan länge, men charmen finns och sätt dig i stället och njut av utsikten och atmosfären. Personal i frack och arbetsdräkt tar hand om dig som om du var kunglig. God mat serveras vid bordet från en lång meny och vid vårt besök spelade en äldre man piano på ett behagligt sätt. Hotellet har en trevlig trädgård och liten pool. Vårt rum hade underbar utsikt över vattnet och solnedgången. Vill man gå till centrum är det en kort promenad på 10 minuter, med bussen som stannar strax bredvid, endast 5 minuter. Vid avresa vinkade dagens personal av oss, uppställda utanför entrén! Rekommenderar varmt att besöka denna gamla pärla om du inte letar efter nytt, stelt eller perfekt.

Lovely location of hotel though a little tired, rooms need updating but are still clean. Rooms on front have grest sea view though noisy at night with road noise as only single glazing. Food was beautiful and staff were very polite, smart and attentive.

I agree with John Stor,s comment. Totally dated, Old furniture, unclean carpets/curtains in room, old sanitary ware from the 60's. Very difficult access to my room, many small stairs to climb and heavy doors to hold open. I decided not to use their antiquated lift from the early 1900's, as old iron sliding gate, and a heavy door to hold open while you have to slide heavy iron gate open. Almost impossible on your own, and I have shoulder/back joint problems, and I have knee joint problems. After two days of stairs climbing, I had to resort to the dreadful lift, and therefore shoulder and arm issues from trying to use it. Only 2 people could fit into it. The reception staff could not care about the problems.

This is the right place to stay at if you would like to experince something that is out of the ordinary, for someone who has done all the mainstream hotells. The staff is magnificent and they treate you as a VIP. I higly recomend it.

Wir waren für drei Nächte dort. Ganz tolles englisches (nicht aufgesetztes) Ambiente. Sehr nettes Personal, Essen top, Sonderwünsche beim Essen waren kein Problem, saubere Zimmer - Meerblick. Jederzeit wieder!

Authentiek Engels hotel met ook authentieke kamers met tuin en zeezicht. Let op dat er ook kamertjes met uitzicht op de afzuiging van de keuken zijn! Personeel is top om alles voor je te regelen. Obers in jacquet, met een lach en bedienen aan tafel. De toetjes zijn prachtig!

Vriendelijk en heel behilpzaam personeel, kamers zijn redelijk alhoewel in de ouderwetse stijl, bedden mogen wel wat geupdatet worden !! Mooie locatie met grote parkeerplaats, bushalte voor de deur als ook de zee!

Great lunch with wonderful service .

Traditional seaside hotel with lovely views. Excellent food, great staff.

Always a good day, best service with attention to detail

Warm welcome, nice and relaxing, a real authentic place to stay

Friendly staff, very welcoming. Good place to visit for morning coffee and cake.

Great lunch yesterday. Very well looked after.

We stayed her for a few days in April 2023 with a dance group holiday. The ballroom is great. Drinks were on the expensive side, but he food was exceptional for a 3 star hotel and the service absolutely excellent.The hotel staff could not be more helpful and friendly. The decor in the public rooms is deliberately and unusually old fashioned and I enjoyed that. A little faded here and there, but still comfortable and welcoming. The bedrooms are varied. I stayed in a standard room; not large or luxurious, but adequate and the bed was very comfortable. The location is good - on the main road between Torquay and Brixham. This is very useful if you are without transport - buses every 10 minutes and day ticket £6.50. I would stay here again.

The food was absolutely delicious! We stayed from Monday till Friday And I started each morning with a full English breakfast With delicious bacon And great scrambled eggs. We had a four course Dinner every evening, which never disappointed. Also, the staff in this hotel were both helpful and friendly. When I return to Torquay, I shall definitely stay here.

Didn't stay overnight but food lovely

Another ladies who lunch, first time we have hada meal here,, it was a beautiful day so decided to eat outside, We had a good choice of food, when it came we all enjoyed our lunch,, Highly recommended. This review is 8 months old!!! We have been sincee then ate inside this time as it was march!! The decor was very Agatha Christie, as was the door man, the food was amazing, slow, but the waiter was by himself,, this is a problem everywhere, brilliant that it is still independent, good luck 🤞

Great meal for a family foursome in the evening. Staff in the bar and restaurant excellent. Well recommended.

Like a step back in time a museum peace

Attended a function and the venue was excellent. Food and drink perfect and beautiful service. Claire the barmaid was friendly and professional as were all the staff. Highly Recommended.

Disappointing service for Sunday lunch.

Top notch fine dining in very opulent surroundings. Excellent four course meal at under £40 each. The waiting staff are 10/10. Its a great experience to step out of the normal and be spoilt, which we were. We would definitely return.

I didn't stay in the Hotel on this occasion but we did dine here food was amazing and staff could not do enough to be helpful i will definitely be coming back thanks for a wonderful evening and hospitality

Very friendly staff, a great place to visit for coffee and biscuits.

the service good old fashioned curtesy service, just one complaint evening entertainment "pants" so boring the same thing different singer with backing tracks

2nd function I have attended at the livermead this one being a wedding reception. Very good facilities and exceptionally good food. Although I regret not taking a picture of my main course. The staff are excellent, Ana our waitress was brilliant. Definitely will be going back.

Looking a little dated but fantastic staff and excellent service and the food is exceptional 👌

Excellent! Sunday lunch. Perfect service

Fabulous friendly hotel,amazing food.

What a lovely hotel. My wife and I spent 3 nights at the Livermead House Hotel with 50 other guests from my Vintage Car Club. The hotel was very welcoming. The staff were courteous, friendly and helpful. The Breakfast and evening meals were delicious. A lovely place to stay with bags of character right on the seafront.

We attended a wedding reception and evening at this hotel and were delighted with the friendly service and help throughout the day. The catering was excellent and the organisation was without fault. We stayed the night in a very large comfortable room with 3 windows overlooking the sea and surrounding county side. A perfect wedding venue

First visit, found it very pleasant. Service was good, location good, will be back again

We got married in the Livermead House hotel 10 years ago! The day was faultless and beautiful due to the amazing work Tim and his team did! 10 years later we are still married and for our anniversary decided to return for a stay and dinner! Yet again Tim and his team went above and beyond to make our stay perfect! We love the hotel and the classic decor! Feels like you are stepping back in time and there is something extremely charming about that! Room was perfect, clean and a dream view! Thank you again Tim and your team for making our stay special.

Een hotel waar je in de watten wordt gelegd door personeel dat nog in jacquet werkt, aan de Engelse Riviera. Geweldig!

Stayed here for a short break. Lovely room, lovely clean hotel, fantastic breakfast, the sea is only a few steps away and the hotel is not far from Torquay town.

Only gave 3 as allowing dogs and dog friendly didn't add up as with my therapy dog I had to sit on my own and was moved away from table I was sat at because people would be eating in area, these people didn't come for at least an hour

Very dated Hotel, it’s in desperate need of a revamp. We payed extra for a better room ! the Bathroom is cramped and none matching, 70,s pink bath and white Toilet and sink. Towels are tiny. Staff are polite but all dressed in tales and waist coats, all a bit odd All furniture is old and in need of updating, worn and grubby to be honest. I felt really done over paying £250 a night, it gets 2 stars as they do allow dogs but at a £15 charge, p/n what’s that for. I could go on , if you fancy a night at the Munsters, it’s the place for you.

I stayed here for four nights on a coach trip. The hotel decor was rather dated but comfortable. The staff, who were always polite and friendly, could not have been more helpful; nothing was too much trouble for them. The food was superb, plenty of choice and always well cooked and beautifully presented. Our gluten free friends were also well catered for. All in all , one of the best hotel experiences I have ever had ( and our whole coach party felt the same).

Horrible Hotel if you are old and like rest homes this is the place for you.

All good here staff are friendly and Place nice and clean all in all a real good do

Excellent location! We received exceptional customer service. Breakfast was lovely, with a wide range to choose from.Rooms are nice and clean. Definitely would recommend. Worth spending your money.

Very beautiful and hospitable hotel

Popped in for coffee and biscuits excellent very pleasant staff.

Old world charm with amazing service. It was like being with family. I was traveling alone and felt so welcomed. Love my week there.

I am surprised that the hotel is only rated 3 star. Super efficient fully uniformed staff, even in the exceptional hot weather. High quality food and great choices too. I would highly recommend this hotel.

Great location for lunch at a reasonable price. Good service

Evening meal very good. Decor very dated, and shabby in places, coloured bathroom suites. Staff dressed in a extrodinary way, person at bar in a black frock coat, and another member in a dark coat with tails and a coronation. Staff very efficient in restaurant, but can be surly in bar. We went there as part of package tour, not sure would have chosen hotel. Lift has a door with a metal door inside, I have only seen these in old pre forties films. Extraordinary place, but staff do their best and the food is good. Music not good in bar 40s and 50s music, average age over 75, they don't serve modern coffees. The hotel is something from an Agatha Chris tie movie, and I thought I had been transported back 80 years. WiFi almost non existent, hotel dining room had a musty smell as did our bedroom

Racial bigotry at its most insidious here. Reported to the relevant authorities. Awaiting outcome.

Had a lovely stay. Will definitely book again

Great place to stay, excellent food

The staff in the dining room were wonderful, though we didn't experience the same amazing service from the bar staff

My Sister had her wedding there . The food was excellent and staff were very friendly and helpful. Lovely garden to have your wedding photos taken. Would recommend this Hotel.

Sehr tolles Victorian Hotel und die Belegschaft ist sehr nett und wir hatten eine sehr Zeit im Hotel

Beautiful hotel and great location , not cheap tho.

Another fantastic weekend stay at The Livermead Hotel. Thanks Tim and his brilliant staff. See you all again soon *******

Support one of the original hotel owners in the bay who hasn't sold out. These places are dying out. Go before it's too late.

Very friendly and professional staff. Fantastic food in the restaurant and also the bar. Would definitely recommend.

They are great the made a lovely cream tea for my birthday for a friend and I to have . On day I will have to bring my family there for a meal.

Nice location by the sea excellent service. I attended a Wallace Arnold driver Reunion 🫂 dinner 🍽 didn't stay in the room's.